American Hero Harold E. Brown, Jr. Named MWCC's 2010 Alumnus of the Year

American hero Harold E. Brown, Jr. will be honored posthumously as Mount Wachusett Community College's 2010 Alumnus of the Year during the college's 45th Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 20.

A native of Bolton, Mass., Mr. Brown graduated from MWCC in 1992 with highest honors, then continued on for his bachelor' and master's degrees, served the country in the military, married his college sweetheart and became the devoted father of three beautiful children.

He achieved the rank of major in the U.S. Army Reserve and proudly served the country in Bosnia, the Gulf War, and in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Last year, the 37-year-old was serving as an intelligence officer with the CIA during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. On Dec. 30, 2009, Mr. Brown and six other agents lost their lives in an attack by a suicide bomber at Forward Operating Base Chapman in the Khost Province. They have been commended as American heroes by President Barack Obama, CIA Director Leon Panetta and other national leaders, as well as by their own hometown friends and neighbors.

"Harold Brown came to Mount Wachusett Community College in 1990 as a teenager still discovering his own potential and direction," said college President Daniel M. Asquino. "When he graduated two years later, he left as a leader and a scholar. He went out into the world ready to embrace every opportunity that came his way, while never forgetting where he came from or the importance of serving and inspiring others. He truly exemplifies the best of humanity and we are so very proud and honored to recognize him as our 2010 Alumnus of the Year."

Although Mr. Brown was not one to seek accolades, his parents said he would be proud to be named MWCC's Alumnus of the Year. He entered the college as an "average" student, they said, and quickly excelled.

"He loved Mount Wachusett Community College," said his father, Harold E. Brown, Sr. "It became a second home to him and opened his eyes to the world. It was such a growing experience for him. From then on, he excelled in everything he did."

"The most important things in his life were God, family and his country," said his mother, Barbara Brown. Known for his positive attitude, infectious good nature and self-deprecating humor, he often greeted friends and colleagues with the expression, "Is this going to be a good day or a great day?" she said.

While at MWCC, Mr. Brown served as a senator on the Student Government Association, was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society and treasurer of the Criminal Justice Club. He was named to the Dean's List his final three semesters and graduated with highest honors. He was nominated to the All-USA Academic Team sponsored by PTK and USA Today and was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. An affable student who was always willing to lend a hand, he served as a peer tutor and assisted the college's recruitment efforts by participating in several marketing campaigns.

"He was a very active student on campus and really contributed to the life and spirit of the college community back then, and he continued on his path of wanting to help others and be of service to others," said Executive Vice President Ann McDonald, who was his advisor at the time.

"If somebody asked, 'Who were the nicest, greatest students you would just love to put on a pedestal?' he would be one of them because he worked hard, he did a nice job and was the most personable guy you could know. He had it all, yet presumed nothing and didn't look for attention," she said.

In an essay Mr. Brown wrote in 1992 while preparing to transfer to one of several private colleges and universities that offered him significant or full scholarships, he expressed his appreciation for Mount Wachusett and the experiences he gained as a student.

"During the past year and a half attending a community college, I have had many educational opportunities," he wrote. "However, there is a part of a college education that many people overlook, and in my opinion, is one of the most important parts of the college experience. It is the personal interaction with my college 'family' which in my case, includes an extremely diverse student body and the faculty...I leave knowing that I am a more educated person for having been a part of this type of a community. I also leave knowing that I have a strong base in which to support the rest of my college and life experiences."

He brought "to the classroom a smile and a curiosity for knowledge," and "a positive and caring attitude toward learning and his fellow students," remarked his former computer professor, Ray Rogers, in a recommendation letter.

Mr. Brown graduated from Nashoba Regional High School in 1990. After earning his associate degree in Liberal Arts from Mount Wachusett, he received a scholarship to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He went on to earn a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

At GWU, he met his wife of 15 years, Janet Dill Brown. The couple made their home in Fairfax, Va., with their three children, Paul, Lena and Claire. Mr. Brown's sister Regina Brown of Clinton is an alumna of MWCC, and his sister Paula Rich of Bolton attended the college.

While at George Washington, Mr. Brown served as an intern in the office of former Congressman Martin Meehan of Lowell. After graduating, he went on to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. Prior to embarking on his career in public service, Mr. Brown worked with Shareholder.com in Maynard and in England for SAIC, a Virginia-based defense contractor. An avid runner, skier and fitness enthusiast, Mr. Brown enjoyed traveling and had been to six of the seven continents. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Virginia.

Growing up in Bolton, a town of about 5,000 residents, Mr. Brown often saw his parents helping others and adopted the philosophy of helping your neighbor. Harold Brown Sr. serves his community as the public works director and formerly served as a Bolton police officer and volunteer firefighter and ambulance attendant. Barbara Brown retired in 2004 after a 25-year career as a Bolton police officer and continues to volunteer as an elected constable, ambulance attendant and member of the Council on Aging.

In a letter to CIA employees following the December attack, President Obama stated that the seven agents came from a "long line of patriots" whose courageous services has helped to thwart terrorist plots and save lives. "The men and women who gave their lives in Afghanistan did their duty with courage, honor and excellence, and we must draw strength from the example of their sacrifice," President Obama said.

In June, the agents will be honored with a star on the Memorial Wall at the CIA's headquarters in Langley, Va., "alongside so many other heroes who gave their lives on behalf of their country," the president stated. "And they will live on in the hearts of those who loved them, and in the freedom that they gave their lives to defend."

Leominster Credit Union Donates $50,000 to MWCC Foundation

Leominster Credit Union President & CEO Gordon R. Edmonds recently presented a check in the amount of $50,000 to the Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc. to be used for scholarships and student services.

"Leominster Credit Union's community commitment extends to many towns in North Central Massachusetts, and takes many forms. We're involved in a number of educational initiatives at local elementary, middle and high schools, all directed at increasing financial literacy," said Mr. Edmond's of LCU's civic focus. "This donation to the MWCC underscores our commitment to their excellent work supporting the growth, improvement and accessibility of excellence in higher education."

"Leominster Credit Union, its members and its employees have had a wonderful relationship with Mount Wachusett Community College for decades," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino in accepting the contribution. "We greatly appreciate this generous donation to help support our current and future students."

With campuses in Gardner, Leominster and Devens, Mount Wachusett Community College is an accredited, public, two-year institution serving 29 cities and towns in North Central Massachusetts. The college offers over 40 associate degrees and certificate programs, as well as adult basic education/GED courses, among other options.

Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, LCU is proud to claim more than 39,000 members and $540 million in assets. LCU has branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster.

Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke and Westminster resident Yvonne Hunter have been reappointed to the Mount Wachusett Community College Board of Trustees by Governor Deval Patrick.

The two were sworn in to new terms during a brief ceremony at the college on Thursday, April 8 attended by board Chairman James Garrison and MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.

Hawke is involved in many local and statewide organizations, including the board of directors for the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Local Government Advisory Council. A 1994 graduate of MWCC, Hawke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Masters of Business Administration from Anna Maria College in Paxton.

Hunter, a 2004 graduate of Mount Wachusett Community College, is a project manager at Verizon Communication in Gardner, where she is also actively involved in community service through the Verizon Foundation, most recently serving as campaign champion for a program assisting victims of domestic violence. Among her other community service activities, she previously served on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts.

MWCC hosted the Video Educators of New England (VENE) fourth annual spring conference on Wednesday, April 7. This year's conference featured presenters from Montréal, Canada, and St. Louis, Missouri, with about 80 attendees from all over New England.

According to Jan Haughey, VENE chair and cable consultant, VENE was originally established as a fall conference at MWCC in 1997 when Haughey, Arthur Collins, director of media services and chief engineer of broadcasting & electronic media, and Dr. Vincent Ialenti, assistant dean of distance learning and instructional technology, wanted an organization that would unite video educators and students from throughout New England.

"MWCC loves to have students come, visit and most importantly, learn," said Joel Anderson, assistant professor of broadcasting and electronic media.

David Scher, VENE marketing director, said that the spring conference was designed with the intention of moving around New England allowing for more outreach for professors, students, and people interested in the broadcasting and digital fields. While the fall conference has been an annual event at MWCC, this was the first time the spring conference was held here.

Keynote speaker Sharon Peters, director of technology at Hebrew Academy in Montréal, stressed the importance of media literacy and the advantages of new media skills when she shared a story from her second visit to Kenya. Peters said, "Before I left Washington, D.C., I asked our guide what he wanted as a souvenir. He said an OLPC XO-1 laptop. Not having the $400, I used multimedia, specifically Twitter, and was able to donate a laptop that will help an entire community to thrive."

- Joseph Benavidez

Pictured: MWCC audio instructor John Little demonstrates ways to improve sound in video production with the use of a spectrum analysis during the spring VENE conference.

American Youth Policy Forum Visits MWCC's Gateway Program

Members of the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) visited MWCC on March 25 to learn about the Gateway to College program as part of a national effort on dropout prevention.

The AYPF, in partnership with America's Promise Alliance and the National Governors Association visited Massachusetts with teams of leaders from Alabama, Delaware, Kansas and South Carolina.

The trip focused on efforts to re-engage and reconnect high school dropouts. The delegation scheduled a number of sessions with state leaders to discuss Massachusetts efforts to integrate dropout prevention and recovery programs into the state's overall approach to education reform, said Pati Gregson, vice president of MWCC's division of Access & Transition.

A panel of Gateway to College students and alumni of the program spoke frankly about why they left high school and shared how the Gateway program helped them earn high school diplomas and pursue college degrees.

Pictured: Deb Bibeau, director of the Gateway to College program at MWCC, leads a panel presentation of program students and alumni for visitors with the American Policy Youth Forum.

Student Leadership Conference Yields 125 Packages for the Troops

Students and staff from six Massachusetts colleges assembled 125 packages for men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Community College Student Leadership Association's spring conference.

MWCC's office of Student Life hosted the event this year on March 26, in collaboration with the Center for Democracy & Humanity. In addition to MWCC, participating colleges included Massasoit, Mass Bay, Northern Essex, Quinsigamond and Holyoke.

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino welcomed the student leaders, and state Senator Stephen M. Brewer and Iraq war veteran Michelle Wilmot were the featured speakers.

A member of the State Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, Senator Brewer commended the students for supporting the troops. "The passion of college students is the passion that lights the fire for the betterment of everyone," he said.

Frank Geary, president and founder of the Stoneham-based nonprofit Helping Our Troops and volunteers Sgt. Sean Fitzgerald and Sgt. Jim McLaughlin collected the donations for distribution to the troops.

Pictured: Massachusetts community college student leaders assembled 125 packages for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Community College Student Leadership Association's spring conference.

Evening Nursing Students Present Pediatric Health Fair

Evening nursing students spent part of their spring semester completing pediatric service learning projects in more than 30 area locations.

The nursing students, enrolled in the Pediatrics class taught by nursing Professors Patricia Meza and Elaine Luzzetti, focused on a wide range of topics including autism, diabetes, nutrition, seasonal illnesses and developmental disabilities. The information was presented during a pediatrics health fair on March 25 in the Commons.

For student Marcie Hagar, the project was especially meaningful. She volunteered at the CAPS Education Collaborative, which provides quality education to students ages 3 to 22 with moderate to severe multiple disabilities. Hagar's four-year-old daughter, Makayla, is a student there. Makayla has been diagnosed with trisomy mosaic chromosome 8, and is one of just 15 people in the world documented with the rare genetic syndrome.

The service project enabled Hagar and classmate Mathew Ingemi, to shadow RNs and LPNs at the Gardner-based school, and then share information about programs and services offered there during the informative health fair. In addition to taking care of her family and tackling the rigorous nursing courses, Hagar works as a certified nurse aide at a local nursing home and provides hospice and home health care.

Pictured: Evening nursing program students Mathew Ingemi and Marcie Hagar completed a service learning project at the CAPS Education Collaborative in Gardner. The students and their classmates presented information about a host of topics during a pediatrics health fair in March.

Job Fair 2010 Provides Hope in a Down Economy

Employers from throughout the area participated in MWCC's 2010 Job Fair on Wednesday, March 31. The event provided an opportunity for students to meet with employers and to explore career opportunities in a wide range of fields, including human services, computer information systems, computer graphic design, automotive, biotech, natural resources, medical office and criminal justice.

Student Amy Doucette said the event did more than provide insight into available jobs, but made students and upcoming graduates hopeful in a down economy.

"There's a great selection of businesses here offering opportunities to the students," she said. "It's great for students, especially in this economy. We need that hope to build us up. We're here getting an education with the hope of getting a job, and this backs up the idea that we're going to be able to do that."

A Computer Information Systems major, Doucette said she was particularly interested in information shared by the Massachusetts State Police about careers in computer forensics. "It definitely sounds interesting."

In celebration of Women's History Month in March, MWCC's Division of Access & Transition hosted the third annual Women and Leadership Forum at Fitchburg High School.

A panel of female leaders of the community spoke to approximately 50 teenagers about their life experiences and academic and career paths. Panelists included Lisa Bryant, principal of South Street Elementary School; Dr. Lisa Gim, English professor at Fitchburg State College; Ann McDonald, executive vice president at MWCC; Charisse Gorham-Murphy, contract Manager and program director for Y.O.U., Inc.; State Senator Jennifer Flanagan; Massachusetts State Trooper Angela Guerrera; Imelda Garcia, M.D., pediatrician with Fitchburg Pediatrics; and Dolores Thibault-Munoz, executive director of the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center.

Students attending the March 30 forum were nominated by teachers and guidance counselors as having demonstrated leadership or leadership potential in both the classroom and in the community.

More than 200 middle school students from Fitchburg, Leominster and Lunenburg attended the STEM Career Conference 2010 to learn about careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The conference was held Saturday, March 27 at MWCC.

The conference was presented by MWCC's Division of Access & Transition, Fitchburg State College and the participating middle schools, and was sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Love fresh vegetables but short on space? Consider planting and harvesting your own crop at The Community Garden at MWCC. Applications for 30 plots are currently being accepted. The 20-by-15-foot plots, located adjacent to the MWCC Fitness & Wellness Center, are available to North Central Massachusetts residents and organizations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Weather permitting, a community till and soil preparation day will take place on Saturday, May 1. Planting of cold tolerant crops may begin the following week, and the official opening day is Saturday, May 29. An organic gardening class will take place on Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Community events, such as potlucks, will be planned throughout the summer for all participants.

MWCC alumna Amanda Dettloff, former president of the college's environmental club The Green Society, will return as garden coordinator. She will teach the organic gardening class and provide assistance throughout the growing season. Established last year, The Community Garden is sponsored by W.E. Aubuchon Co., Inc., GFA Federal Credit Union and MWCC.

Gardeners of all levels of experience may participate and are encouraged to bring their own tools. Tools also will be available on site for those who need them.

The cost is $20, which includes participation in the May 8 organic gardening class. The class is also open to non-participants for $10. Apply for a plot online at www.mwcc.edu/communitygardenor call (978) 630-9262 to request an application form.

Upcoming Events

MWCC art student Thalia Mayo will present "Surviving the Haiti Earthquake: An artist's eyewitness perspective on both loss and hope" on Wednesday, April 14 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the North Café. Mayo, a volunteer for the past four years with the nonprofit organization Mission E4, was in Haiti during the devastating earthquake on Jan. 12. In addition to her talk, an exhibit of her artwork and pieces from Haitian artists will be on display through April 19 in the art wing. The presentation is sponsored by the Art Club, the International Club and the International Education Committee.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place Wednesday, April 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Commons. Donors may sign up in the Health Services office, room 133. Walk-ins also are welcome.

MWCC is sponsoring a Health and Technology Expo on Wednesday, April 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Devens Campus. The expo will feature information about academic programs and career opportunities in a variety of fields including energy management, biotechnology/biomanufacturing, automotive technology, broadcasting and electronic media, computer information systems, computer graphic design, nursing, physical therapist assistant, dental hygiene, clinical laboratory science, and others. College representatives will be available to discuss the academic programs as well as the admissions process, financial aid, and veterans' programs. Admission for the Health and Technology Expo is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. Advance registration is requested. To register or for more information, call (978) 630-9569.

The Art Department is sponsoring the 28th Annual Regional Exhibition of High School Art through April 15 in the East Wing Gallery. Nearly 300 students from 14 local high schools submitted an array of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, ceramics, wall hangings, and sculptures. During an awards ceremony and reception on Thursday, April 15, 10 of the students will be awarded cash prizes. The event is open to the public.

Representatives from Kuhn Riddle Architects will lead a panel discussion on how the Northeast Veteran Training & Rehabilitation Center approaches sustainability from all angles. The presentation will take place Thursday, April 15 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in room 125. In addition to the architects, the panel will include representatives from project developer Veteran Homestead, Inc., as well as engineers, contractors and sustainable design consultants involved with building the center, located on 10 acres of land on MWCC's Gardner campus. The buildings are being equipped with geothermal heating and cooling and photovoltaic panels for electricity and are being constructed to meet LEED gold status certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For more information, contact Paul Wolff, director of sustainability and energy management, (978) 630-9240 or pwolff@mwcc.mass.edu.

Jason R. Durkin, director of marketing development at Nypro, Inc., will be the guest speaker during the Alpha Beta Gamma Induction Ceremony on Friday, April 16 in the South Café. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations are required. For tickets, contact Professor Linda Bolduc, ABG advisor, at (978) 630-9385.

Celebrate the second annual Earth Day Fair, Thursday, April 22 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the South Cafeteria and the Commons. The event will include a variety of vendors, displays and presentations, free reusable grocery bags and lucky bamboos, and energy efficient light bulbs and bamboo utensils for sale. Musician Nathan B. Crain will perform in the South Cafe. The festival is sponsored by The Green Society, CATS (Campus Activities Team for Students) the office of Sustainability & Energy Management and the office of Student Life.

MWCC's financial aid office is offering FAFSA Filing Workshops to assist students and parents with online filing of the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The free workshops will take place at the Gardner campus, room 240, on Saturday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Tuesday, April 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. The workshops are open to students who are preparing to attend any private or public college or university this year. The FAFSA helps students and parents determine their eligibility for federal and state student financial aid, including Pell grants, Stafford loans, MASS Grants and other state and federal programs. In addition, the FAFSA form is used by colleges to determine awards for non-federal aid. Registration is not required; families may stop in anytime during the workshop hours for assistance with filing the FAFSA. Students and parents are advised to bring the following documents: 2009 W2 forms; 2009 federal tax forms; value of assets; and Federal FAFSA PIN (if a prior-year filer). The MASS Grant deadline for filing the FAFSA is May 1.

Theatre at the Mount presents its annual spring children's production, Disney's Mulan Jr. in April. Travel back to the legendary, story-telling days of ancient China with this action-packed stage adaption of Disney's Mulan. The Huns have invaded, and it's up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous sidekick Mushu to save the Emperor! Mulan Jr. is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. The score includes favorites like Reflection; Honor to Us All and I'll Make a Man Out of You, as well as new songs. Special matinees for school groups are scheduled for April 13, 14, 15 and 16 at 9:30 a.m. and noon. Performances for the general public are scheduled for April 17 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All seats are $6. Information and tickets are available at the TAM Box Office, Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at (978) 632-2403 or online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

Motivational speaker Gary Guller will present "Scaling New Heights - Reach Your True Potential," on Thursday, April 29 in the Fine Arts Center theatre. An international motivational speaker, film producer and adventurer, Guller led the largest cross-disability group to reach Mt. Everest Base Camp at 17,500 feet, before setting a record of becoming the first person with one arm to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Tickets are $10 and can be obtained by calling (978) 632-1230 or www.gardnervna.org. the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, Inc., in partnership with Mount Wachusett Community College. Whether it is scaling new heights or overcoming obstacles in your personal or professional life, Gary Guller shares a message of accomplishing more.

The Enrollment Center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Associate Degree Nursing Program: May 11 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate: June 8 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: May 5 and June 2 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Complementary Health Care/Massage Therapy/Physical Therapist Assistant: May 11 and June 15 from 2 to 3 p.m., Enrollment Center; Clinical Laboratory Science: May 19 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster and April 21 and June 23, Heywood Hospital, Laboratory Education area; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: June 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Devens campus; Energy Management, June 17 from 3 to 4 p.m., Gardner campus, room 201 and May 13 from 3 to 4 p.m., Devens campus; Accelerated Business Administration: April 20 and June 8 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., and May 11 from 6 to 7 p.m., Gardner campus, room 125. In addition, small group information sessions are offered daily Monday - Thursday beginning at 3 p.m. Prospective students interested in the Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing program are asked to call Tami Morin at (978) 630-9578, (TTY (978) 632-4916), or email tmorin@mwcc.mass.edu. Prospective students interested in all other information sessions are asked to call the Enrollment Center at (978) 630-9284 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu

Archived issues of Mount Wachusett Community College e-News can be found online at http://www.mwcc.edu/info/newsarchive.html To submit to the MWCC e-News or request coverage for your event, contact the Public Relations Office at (978) 630-9547.

Janice O'Connor

Director of Public RelationsMount Wachusett Community College(978) 630-9547joconnor@mwcc.mass.edu